Refrigerating apparatus.



H. H. SOUTHWORTH;

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8. 1914.

Patented Nov. 80, 1915.

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REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, I9I4.

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H. H. SOUTHWORTH. REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

I APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, I914- 1 162316. Patented Nov. 30, 1910.

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REFRIGERATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION men MAY 8, 1914.

H. H. SOUTHWORTH.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

1,162,316. APPLICATION FILED MAY 8. I914. Patented NOV. 30

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REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8. 1914.

Patented Nov. 30,1915.

8 SHEETS-SH EET 8.

Y NI D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' HARRIsoNQ'H;sournwonirn, or cLEvELANn, 0111c, ASSIGNQR, BY 'MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE ICELESS MAQHINE COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, 01110, A coRronA- T1011 or 01110.,

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRISON H. SOUTH- woRTH, a citizen .of theUnitedStates, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga, andfState of Ohiofhave invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in RefrigeratingApparatus, of which the follow- .ing is a full, clear, and exact description,

reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

s V I This invention relates to improvements in small amount left in the weak liquor in the generator-absorber) is driven from the generator-absorber to -the condenser during the period of generation and practlcally'all of said ammonia passes from the condenser through'the refrigerating coils to the gen- 4 my invention and also illustrating the man-' ner in which said apparatus is connected '50 erator absorber sorption.

An object of the inventionv is to provide an efficient and economical system of such a nature. 1

' 'A more specific object is to provide a simduring the period of abple mechanism for automatically controlling the cooling and heating media which shall depend for its operation upon the conditions,

existing in the generato absorber and in the condenser. i p

Another ob ect 1s. to so arrange the apparatus that there shall be 'no surplus of;

ammonia in the refrigerating coils and passages leading to and from the same when the generator-absorber has-reached the end of itsperiod of absorption.

Other obj ects will become apparent, in the following specification and the essential characteristics are herelnafterrset forth 1n..

the claims. i I

In the drawings, Flgure'l 1s a v1ew.1n front elevatlon of an apparatus embodying with the expansion coils in the compartment or box to be refrigerated. F1g..2 1s a view partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section-on an enlarged scale, of the re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 8,1914. Serial No. 837,118.

Patented Nov.

I frigeratirig apparatus.- Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a view of the vertical section, said View being taken in a '55 v same partly in end elevation and partly in plane indicated by the line44c of Fig. 2.

tion, as looked at from-the left hand end of of my apparatus the plane of the section being indicated by the line 6'6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale of check valves in (the am .Fig. 5 is a view of the same in end elevamonia gas line leading from the still tothe T condenser, the plane of the section being indi cated by the line 7 7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8

is a-"detail sectional yiew' on an enlarged scale, showing the mechanism for controlling the change of the alternate operations of my apparatus, taken in a plane indicated the line 88 of Fig 3. Fig. 9 is a detail plan'sectional view of parts illustrated in Fig. 8, the plane of the section being'indicated by the line 99 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail; sectional view of a latch appearing in Figs. 8 and 9, the plane of the section Fig. 11 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of ,the generator-absorber, the plane of the section being indicated-by the line 11-11;- of Fig. 4. 7 Fig. 12 is a plan sectional view of burner, and tank of my improved apparatus, the plane of the section being indivalve mechanism interposedon the cooling water supply pipe. Fig. 16 is a vertical secleading to the controlling device for the fuel gas, being taken on the line 1G16 of Fig.

3. Fig. l7'isa detail of the same taken on a plane indicated by the line 171-7, of Fig. 9.- 1

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 20 indicates an open tank which constitutes a supporting base for the apparatus and which 15 adapted t o contain coolbeing indicatedby the line 1010 of Fig. 9. i

tion'al'detail showing the water connections i drum is set in an inclined position relative to the horizontalbottom'wall'. of the tank 28,

ing .water. The tank is oblong in plan and has a bottom Wall 21, upright end Walls, 22, 22, and'upright front and rear walls 23, 23.

indicates a drum or still (see Fig. 2)

which may be of any suitable construction adapting it to act as a generator-absorber in a refrigerating apparatus of the absorp- :tion type. The said drum or still extends parallel with the length of the tank 20 and is supported above the same by means of bracket-plates 26, 26, which have laterally spaced depending legs 26, 26*, (see Fig, .4) that rest upon and are attached to horizontal supporting bars 27 27. Said supporting.

bars extend transversely of the tank'20" and are fixed tothe front and rear walls 23, 23,1

' thereof in any suitable manner. Thebracket plates 26, 26 have horizontal extensions 26", 26*,which supportan oblong tank '28' located hack of and extending parallel'to the drum 25 and adapted to contain cooling water for a purpose presently to be described, Said. tank is preferably provided with a cover 29, (see Fig. 5).

' 30 indicates a drum of a construction SlIIlI- lar to that of'the drum 25 located within the tank 28. Said drum is the ammonia condenser and receiver and will hereinafter be briefly referred to as the-condenser. Said the discharge end of said drum (the right hand end as shown in dotted lines'in Fig. 2),

being lower than its inlet end, (namely, the left hand end as shown in said 2).

31, 31, indicate pipes rising from longitudinally spaced points in the top of the drum 'ter vapor carried off with 'or still 25 and connected-by means of a T-- fitting 31 to a pipe 32 which discharges,

through check-valves presently .to be men'- tioned, into the inletend of the condenser. Said pipes conduct the ammonia gas from the still to the condenser during the process of generation. The pipes 31, 31, pass through the adjacent front wall of the water tank 28 by means of water-tight fittings and are then inclined upwardly toward their connection with the pipe 32 leading to the condenser. Said pipes 31, 31, are covered during the periodof generation by the water in the tank28, as will presently appear, so that they act as rectifiers to condense the wadriven from the still 25,

still.

Apipe 110 leads from the discharge end of the condenser 30.through a back pressure expansion valve-111 to the expansion coils 112 in the brine tank 113. The pipe 110- niay be provided within the tank 28, with a manually operated valve 110*, which may be closed for convenience in assembling and repairing.

verse flow from the generator-absorber 25 to riod when thegenerator-absorber 25 is acting as an absorber.

avertical plane so as to distribute the flame the ammonia gas and the water condensed therein flows by gravity back into the 33 indicates a. return pipe leading from the expansion coils and acting to-conduct the vaporized, expanded ammonia gas, after it has done its work in said coils, back to the generator-absorber drum 25 when it is acting as an absorber.

34 and 35 indicate spaced check-valves interposed in said return pipe 33 near its connection with the drum 25, to prevent a re the expansion coils during the process of generation. Similar spaced check valves 36 and 37 are interposed 'in-the discharge pipe .32" to prevent a reverse flow from the condenser 30 throughsaid pipe during the pe- The heating meansprovided as shown herein, for heating the still during the cycle of generation is preferably a fuel gas burner. 40 indicates a burner-pipe located beneath the drum 25 in the vertical plane of its longitudinal central axis and consealed by the water in said tank. The burner pipe40'is provided with a plurality of (Us charge nipples consistingof short tubes .45 fixed in suitable holes formed in the top of the-burner pipe and placed so that the alternate tubes discharge at either side of over a large surface of the drum 25. 'The ends 15 of the tubes within the pipe 40 are beveled so that any water caught in said tubes will not be retained by capillary attraction but will fall from the tubes'into i the pipe 40 whence it will be discharged through the pipes 43 into the tank 20. 10* indicates a pilot light (see Fig. 12) adapted for lighting the burner pipe 40. when fuel gasis supplied thereto.

To guard against the loss of heat to the generator-absorber drum 25 during the period of generation, a shield46 is preferably used. The said shield 16 is spaced a short distancefrom the walls of the drum 12 3 and is parallel to .the outer surface of said drum. he. shield 46 is made in two sections 46 46, each comprising inner and outer arcuate sheet metal members 46, 46", between which is interposed a sheet or layer of non-heat conducting material 46. The

members 46, 46" are attached at their ends in any convenient manner to the bracket plates 26. The shield secti'ons -16, -16 are spaced apart at their upper and lower edges to allow for a circulation of both the heating I and cooling means about' the drum 25. cover 47 of a'width adapted to inclose' the opening between the top portions of said shield sections 46", 46 is provided and rests vwith-its lower lateral edges upon said sections. Saidcover has a top wall 47 having a centrally disposed stack -48 for carrying ofl the p'roductsof combustion.

Theapparatus illustrated is cooled by means of water supplied as follows: 50indicates a pipe perforated on the top and -"located above the generator-absorber drunf 25 and within the cover 47 of the'shield 46.

'the generator-absorber during its period of absorption. The said pipe is supported at one end by .abracket- 50 fixed to the top of. the generator-absorber and rests at its opposite'end in a notch "formed in one of the bracket plates 26. The pipe 50 is con- Said-pipe acts to convey cooling water to nected by means of a pipe '51 with the'water tank 28, said pipe 51 within'thetank has an upturned'end'52 (see Figs." 2, 4 and 8) provided with a valve-seat for a valve j plug 54. Automatic devicesfor discharging the water from the tank 28 into'the pipe 50 during the absorption period of the generator-absorber drum 25 are hereinafter .de-

' of said valves will suffice for both.

lower chanibered members 37 37",

The check-valve 37 comprises upper and at tached at their margins by means .so as to provide a gas tight joint. 3': indicates a diaphragm of thin sheet metal the marginal parts of which are clamped between-the flanges of said chambered members 37, 37

The diaphragm 37,has a central opening in which is'secured an apertured valve plug 37 secured tothe diaphragm ina suitable manner. The upper and lower ends of said valve plug are formed to provide valve seats transverse of its seat.

for ball-valves 37 37 The lower ball-valve 37 is. located in. a'

recess 37 in the upper end of a plug 37 having a threaded stem engaged in a threaded aperture formed 1n the lower hambered member 37 Said ball is re tainedjin its recess by means of a-float-ing plate 37 in such manner as to be capable of limited rolling movement in a direction Said plate is held in position by means of a flanged nut 37 applied to the upper end of the plug 37.

35 in the return line 33.

The plug 37 is adjustable vertically to vary the position of the lower ball Va1ve 37 with reference to its seat on the'valve plug 37 It is'apparent from. theabove description that'the fluid maypass freely from the lower chambered member to-the upper chambered member when the .pressureis greater in the first than in the second, since the excess pressure will raise the 5211137 and passto and through the upper chambered member. The

normal position of the diaphragm is such that the valve plug 37? is slightly above'the raise one, ball to pass the check; valve.

.VVhen, however, a differential pressure is exerted in a reverse direction, the diaphragmis depressed and both balls-are maintained seated, thus preventing a return flow through the check valve. The valve is-- substantially as' described in an application filed October 10, 1912,. by George A. Gase, Serial No.

The ball check valve 36, as-shown in the drawings, consists of an upright tubular casing 36 ,"provided near its lower end with 1 lower ball 37 so that when the fluid is'pass- 111g in the normaldirehtion, it only has to a ported valve seat 36", upon which rests a ball valve 36?.

, 36 indicates a, seat through which the fluid passes toward the check valve 37 after it has lifted and passed thexball valve 36. The casing con passage above the valve tains a stem or rod 36 above the ball valve,

adapted to be' screwed down uponthe ball to positively close it upon its seat when desired, said stem' extending through a suitable stuffin'g'box at the top of the casing and being inclosed by a cap as indicated, in a familiar manner.

60 (see Fig. 2) indicates,a by-p'aiss connecting the discharge line 32. with the return line 33. As shown, said by-pass connects the lower chambered member 37 of, the check-valve 37 in the discharge line. 32 with the lower end of the ball check-valve casing A spring controlled ball check-valve 61 is interposed in said b v-v pass adjacent its connection with the checkvalve 37 as shown in Fig.7. Said checkvalve is of any familiar construction, as illustrated in'the drawings. Thisv'by-pass acts to conduct anyammonia gas/which may leak thrgugh the cl1ckvalve 37 in the dis charge line, during the'time the generatorabsorber is absorbing, into the return line, sov that it will be taken into the'generator-ao sorber into the water absorbent with the 'vaporized expanded ammonia coming from the expansion coils.

The fuel gas controlling valve 41 shown herein is substantially like that described in an application heretofore filed on January 11th, 1913, Serial Number 741,414, by Harrison H. Southworth zihd George A, Gase, and is illustrated in detail in Figs. 8 and 16.

62 indicates a casing into which a fuel gas supply pipe 63 (see'Figs. 2,4 and 8) opens.

Said casing contains a float Glfixed on a verfrom'the supply pipe 63 enters the interior in the stand-pipe.

,above its seat will depend upon the head'of of said casing 62. -A valve-plug 67 fixed to the top of the stem 65 and adapted to seat on said ported valve seat controls the supply of fuel gas to the casing.

'68 indicates an adjusting pin in a plug 69 in the top of the casing located above the valve plug 67 to limit-the movement of said valve plug from its seat. A cap 70 incloses said plug and pin to prevent it from being tampered with.

71 indicates a stand-pipe placed adjacent to the casing 62 and preferably connected therewith at the bottom by means of 'an integral conduit 72. v

73 indicates a pipe for supplying cooling water to the apparatus. Said pipe has a branch connection 73 for directing cooling water into the tank 28 and it isalso connected by means of a.horizontal troughshaped-fitting 74 to the top of the stand-pipe 71'. The said. fitting 74 is provided with an overflow pipe 7-1 which directs the surplus of water from the pipe 73 into the tank 28. The bottom of the casing 62 is provided with a small opening 7 5 so that incase the supply of the water to the casing is discontinued all the water therein will drain out. Manifestly, as long as the stand-pipe is supplied wit11 water the position of the float in the casing and thedistance of the valve plug fuelgas as compared to the-head'of water 76 indicates -a vertically swinging lever fulcrumed to the bottom of theconduit- 72 and having a weighted arm 77 which is adapted' to engage and bear down upon a nut or pin 78 on the stem 65, which is prolonged downwardly below the bottom of the casing 62. Said lever 76 also hasan' arm 79 which is adapted to be engaged by a pin 80 on a lug .81 fixed to the top of a yertically swinging lever 82 that is .fulcrumed to a rod 83 fixed transversely in; the top of the tank 28.. v

81 indicates a float, which, as shown, is in the-form of an inverted hollow cup and is attached to the lever 82. The lever 82 is. projected beyond the float 84 and carries at its end an eye 85, through which depends a. rod 86 attached to the valve plug 54 hereto fore referred to. that controls the outlet for the water contained in the tank 28. Said eye 85 works between nuts 87,- 88, screwed upon the rod 86.

89 indicates a transverse bar on the lever 82 intermediate the float 84 and the rod- 86.

pawl .91, when the pressure in the condenser is high,

Said bar is adapted to be engaged at one end by a pawl 90, and at the other end by a.

pawl 91. 4 Said pawls are each provided With bell-crank weighted arms 90*, 91, respectemperature to be attained in the generator Y absorber 25 when the same isgenerating, while the pawl 91 is actuated by means depending for its operation upon the reduction of pressure in the condenser 30 at the time all of the liquid refrigerant in said con denser has been exhausted. Said means are' as follows: 95 indicates a pipe connected with the condenser and is shown as leading from a point in the pipe 32, that discharges into the condenser beyond the check-valves 36 and 37, the connection being such that the pressure in the pipe 95 is true condenser pressure. Said pipe 95 has connected to it a Bourdon spring tube 96, operated by the pressure in this 'line. 97 indicates a bellcrank-lever fulcrumed in the plane of the- Bourdon tube and having an arm 98, which a is connected by a link 99 with the end of said-Bourdon tube, The other arm 100 of 'saidlever is in preferably substantially vertical position and is adapted to engage a nut 101 on a rod 101 connected to the catch or As will be readily understood,

the Bourdon tube will tend to straighten out, thus holding the vertical arm 100 of the lever away from the nut 101, that is to say, to the left of said nut, as shown in the drawings.

contract, thus shifting the vertical arm 100 of the lever 97 toward said nut, that is to say, to the right. The lever when it strikes extending arm 65" which is engaged upon its upper side by a cam 65". Said cam is substantially in the form of a quadrant and is pivota-lly supported from the bottom wall of the casing 62'. 100 indicates a rod pivotally connected at oneend to the cam 65 and at its opposite end projects through an aperture in the lower end of the arm 100 beyond which said rod 100 is provided with nuts 100". *Vhen the pressure in the pipe 95 is excessive said pressure straighten out the Bourdon tube 96 causing the arm 100 to swing to the left as viewed in Fig.2, 8, 9 and 17. until said arm strikes against the nuts 100 on the rod 100, when a When the pressure in the condenser falls, the Bourdon tube will tend to will I tend to said rodwill then move in" the same direction. This movement will cause the cam 65 to bear against the arm 65 of the movable valve stem 65 to move-the same downwardly soas to bring the valve plug '67 toward its seat,-thus either partially or entirely shutting off the supply of fuel gas to the interior of the casing62. When the pressure in the pipe 9 5'has subsided the Bourdon tube will contract to its original shape, the arm 100 will move to the right allowing'the cam 65 1 to assume its original position by gravity I thus freeing the'arm from its control, the'water in the casing 62 operating on the float-64 to raise the same, thus allowing fuelgas to again enter the casing 62. v In the generator absorber 25 is'loca'ted a tube 104 (see Fig. 11) containing a thermostatic rod 105 which projects beyond said generator-absorber drum" and; engages .ai

,, spring controlledp lever 106 fulcrumedat' 1 107 adjacent the end of said drum. Said 1ever 106 has an arm 108 which projects upwardly above the top of the tank 28 and de pends into said .tank where it is arranged'to engage a nut 109 on a rod 109 connected to the dog 90'. The nut 109" on said rodis adapted'to be engaged by said arm 108 when by the expansion of thethermostatic rod 105 said lever has been caused to move farenough, in which case said-lever acts to "swing the rod to the right, as viewedin the drawings, and disengage the pawl 90 from the transverse bar89 The course of the anhydrous ammonia and the ammonia gasthrough the apparatus described,.is as follows Theammonia gas passes from the still when driven off through the pipes 31 and 32, checkvalves 36' and 137 to the o0ndenSei'30, and fromthe condenserthrougli the pipe 110 heretofore mentioned, which I leads from adjacent the .bottomof the tank of the condenser drum 30 through a valve 110, (which is preferably adapted to be manually closed when" desired). to the expansion coils 112 in the brine tank. The

brine tank is located. in a suitable box or room to be refrigerated, such as indicated predetermined pressure. du ring generation the pressure of the amin .Fig. 1, corresponding. to the refrigerator proper. -In passing to the coils n the brine tank, the anhydrous ammonia 1 passes through a back pressure expansion valve 111 of the usual construction, which is adapted to shut off the. flow throughth'e coils when the. expanding'ammonia' gas therein reaches moniagas left from the preceding absorption period: in the'return line 'between the expansion "valve 111. and 1 the absorber check valve holds the expansion valve closed, thus eonfining'the liquid anhydrous ammonia be tween that valve and-thecheck valve 37. From thev expansion coils the ammonia gas is led back to the generatonabsorber,

Accordingly,

"through the check valves and 35, hereto-' "fore" described, and. into the liquid in the generator-absorber; The pipe 33 preferably extends along the bottom of the drum 25' and is provided with suitable openings so that the ammonia gas in tending to rise from these openings will necessarily pass through .allof the liquid absorbent.

In Fig. 1 is shown a small metal box 113,

set intothe brine tank and having a suitable cover, in which various ices and the like, maybefrozem 130, Figs. 2-and 5 'is a pressure indicator The operation of the apparatus thus far described, is as follows. Starting with the heating cycle, the Water flowing into 'the stand-pipe 71 by itsaction on the float 64 in the casing 62, acts to maintain-the valve plug 6% raised from its seat so that there is a flowflof "gas through the pipe 41 to theconnected with the return line 33, by which the efficiency of the refrigerating operation. may be ascertained.

- burner-pipe 40;. During this period, the

' valve plug 54. is closed on its seat so; as to prevent the escape of Water'from the 'tank to: the waterdischarge pipe 50' andthe Water accumulating in the tank 28 has risen therein to its overflow level and tends to raise the cup shaped float 84:, and with it the I lever 82. This rise of the float and lever,'

however, is prevented by means of a horizontal stop'90". on the pawl which enthe-heating prbcess continues, theftemperature in "the still 25 gradually rises until a predetermined point is reached corresponding. to the desired degree of de-saturation of the liquor in thejstill. As this temperature 'is approached, the thermostatic rod ex:

pands and by reason, of its engagement aga1nst }tl1e lever 106 gradually swings the depending arm 108 of said lever toward the n'ut109 on the link 109 connected with the pawl 90. When said predetermined temperature is reached, the movement of the said leveris such as to longitudinally move the link 109 (to the right, as shown in Fig. 8'), so as to withdraw 'the horizontal shoulder 90. onthe pawl 90 from its engagement with the bar 89 on the lever 82. This re- -gages the bar 89 carriedby the lever 82. As

,-' leasesthe float .84, which, under the flotation action of the Water in the tank 28, rises.

Thgj arm 79- of the-lever 76, which, up to;

and the heating cycle of the still is terminated. As the float 81 is raised, the hor1zontal bar 89 is caught by a horizontal shoul-' v pawl 91, causes said pawl to swing (to the left as shown in Figs. 8 and 10) so as to engage a shoulder 91 on said pawl spaced vertically below the shoulder 91 under said bar 89. The pawl 91 thus supports this float and prevents it from falling when, as

A the left as shown in Fig.

will presently appear, the water level in the tank 28 falls so as no longer to have any buoying action on the float. Vith the rise of the'floa-t 84:, the eye 85 on the lever 82 engages the nut 88 on the link 87 which car ries the water valve plug 51 and lifts said water valve plug so as to permit the escape of water from the tank 28 through the pipe 51 to the water discharge pipe 50 above the still 25. This produces 'animmediate rush of water into the pipe 50 owing to the large amount of water in the tank 28 above the level of said pipe, thus producing at the beginning of the cooling cycle a very large discharge of water on the hot still. This is of great advantage in that it results in the.

comparatively quick cooling of the still so as to shorten the period of time intermediate the point where actual generation ceases and absorption begins. \Vhen the generator absorber has begun to absorb the check valve 31 opens and the gas pressure in the return line is reduced by the absorption, and this causes the expansion .valve to automatically open, whereupon the period of refrigeration begins.

As the still cools down, the thermostatic rod 105 shortens and Withdraws from its engagement with the lever 106, which, under the action of its spring 106, swings to the left, as shown in Fig. 2 so as to withdraw its arm 108 from engagement with the nut 109 on the link 109 that is connected with the pawl '90. The pawl 90 being thus released, its weighted arm 90 swings it (to 8) so as to bring a horizontal shoulder 90 on said pawl (said horizontal shoulder being vertically spaced below the heretofore mentioned shoulder 90* on said pawl) into a position directly below the bar 89. position to catch and support the float when, as will presently appear, the float is released by the other pawl 91. After the .water in the tank 28 has fallen to the level of the valve seat of the valveplug 54, the still cooling water pipe 50 continues to be supplied with water which overflows from the stand pipe 71. The cycle of absorption in the still 25 continues as long as cooling water is supplied to the stand pipe 71, and the refrigerant is absorbed in the still 25 in a fa- I miliar manner.- The absorption cycle con- 40. The gas escaping Said shoulder 90 is thus in tinues'until all of the liquid ammonia in the condenser 30 and in the connections leading nected to said spring to the right (see Fig.

8) and engage the nut 101 on the link 101 that isco-nnected with the pawl 91. This movesthe link 101 and swings the pawl 91 from its supporting engagement with the bar 89 connected to the float 81, thus releasing said float. The float thereupon drops by gravity and with it, the-pin 80 on the lug 81, said. pin engaging the arm 79 of the lever 76 and raising the weighted arm 77 of said lever from its engagement with the valve stem, 65, which, up to this time this lever has been holding depressed. This permits the water flowing into the stand pipe 71 and into the casing 62 to again buoy up the float 64: and open the valve plug 67 so as to permit a flow of fuel gas into the casing 62, through the pipe 41 and the burner pipe from said burner pipe is thereupon ignited by the pilot light in a familiar manner, and the period of generation begins again. lVhen the float 81 descends, the eye 85 on the lever 82, engages the nut 87 on the link 86 connected with the water valve plug 54: and closes said plug on its seat. thus cutting 01f the supply of cooling water to the cooling water pipe 50, prior to the ignition of the gas in the burner pipe. WVhen the dropping of the float 84 is arrested by the bar 89 engaging with the horizontal shoulder 90 on the pawl 90, the" weighted arm 90 of said pawl acts to swing said pawl (to the left, as shown in Fig. 8), so as to engage the horizontal shoulder 90 above the bar 89. The parts are now in the In order to control the temperature in the box in which the expansion coil is located, I provide a device for stopping the. operation of the refrigerating apparatus whenever a predetermined low temperature is reached. This device forms the subject matter of my divisional application No. 31,111, filed May 29, 1915. It may be constructed as follows (see Figs. 1 and 15) indicates a main water supply pipe which supplies water to the stand pipe 71. 116 indicates a valve casing interposed in said pipe, sages 117-118, which are connected by a ported valve seat 120. 121 indicates a spring controlled normally closed valve of any familiar construction, which is adapted to close the connection between said two passages. 122 indicates a longitudinally movable rod placed in line with the valve 12 1 and said valve casing containing passuitably supported in the casing 116. 123 indicates a diaphragm casing attached to the valve casing 116, and containing'a' diaphragm 125 so placed as to operatively engage the rod 122 on one side. The other side of said diaphragm casing'is connected by'a i small pipe 126 with a tube 127, which is sealed about the return pipe 33 that leads to 1 0, ing a high coefficient of expansion and conthe generator-absorber. Said tube and pipe contain afiuid of low boiling point and havtraction, as for example, sulphur dioxid ($0,). This gas has the advantage of comparatively low pressure within the range of temperatures at which the apparatus operates.

to the pressure of said fluid.

The fluid (sulfur dioxid gas) in the tube 127 is exposed to the temperature of the ammonia gas passing through the return pipe 33. As long as the ammonia gas, as it escapes from the outlet end of the refrigerating coil, has been so vaporizedand expanded that it is incapable, of materially affecting the temperature of the fluid the tube 126, said-fluid being expanded by the temperature of the atmosphere acts on the diaphragm 125 to maintain the valve 121 in open position. This allows the waterto flow freely through thepipe 115 and this valve.

sion coil, however, is cooled and therefrigerant ammonia, passing through the expansion COll has less and less work to do,

the ammonia refrigerant when itreaches the point in the return pipe 33 at which the tube 127 is located, will still be capable of further. vaporization, and therefore, will take up heat from the fluid contained in said tube 127. This condition will be indicated externally by the fact that the frost line will advance on the pipe 33 'to and beyond the tube 127. The cooling of the fluid contained in the tube 127 and in the pipe 126 will cause it to contract with a result that the diaphragm 125, no longer receiving sufiicient pressure from said fluid to overcome the normal closing action of the valve 121, will allow the valve to close and cutoff the water supply in the pipe 115. Thus the supply of water to the stand pipe 71 will fail and the .cooling water whicl1',normally flows therefrom into the tank 28, and thence into. the water pipe 50 above-the still 25, will cease. As the still 25 is no longer cooled. by the cooling water and as the refrigerant which still continues to flow to it continues to be absorbed, thus developing heat therein, backpressure in said still and in the return pipe will gradually increase until it reaches a point such that no more i'efrigerant is capable of passing through the back pressure expansion valve 111. This greatly decreases the refrigerating operation in the The diaphragm 125 is thus exposed on the side opposite to the rod 122- As the box containing the expan--- coils and allows the atmosphere to warm be seen that I have provided a refrigerat: ing apparatus in which the supply of gas is controlled automatically and the generator changed to an absorber and vice versa, by

.mechanism which is simple in construction and not liable to get out of order. It will be noted that I have provided an eflicient means for preventing the wasting of the gas, depending for its operation on the conditions in the portion of the apparatus being heated by the gas. It will also be noted that I have provided mechanism for controlling the supply of liquid ammonia to the refrigerating coils whereby the supply of refrigerant is cut off except when the temperature 1s such as to require the supplying of the liquid ammonia to maintain the temperature desired. This greatly prolongs the period of absorption, which causesthe heating operation to be much less frequent, thereby procuring the most economical use of the gas by the use of the frost line control above described in my apparatus. The cooling .water is also most economically utilized.

It should be noted that a number of features shown in the drawings hereof and ex-- plalned 1n the above descrlptlon for clearness of understanding, are not claimed in this application, but in other copending applications. For example: the control of the termination of the absorption period by the exhaustion of the liquid anhydrous ammonia from the container therefor is claimed in my application No. 732,807 filed Novem' ber 22nd, 1912; the gas burner shown is claimed in an application of mine filed con- ,temporaneously herewith; the particular gas regulator shown is claimed in the application hereinbefore mentioned filed by myself and George A. Gase, and the check valve shown in Fig. 7 hereof is claimed in the application hereinbefore mentioned filed by George A.Gase.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination withgenerat;

ing and absorbing means, of a condenser, a tank containing the condenser and adapted to hold cooling waterabout it and above it,

means for supplying heat for generation,

. said last named means, expansion coils, and v and automatic means for shutting off the 'heat and dousing-the absorber by the ac- 2. In a refrigerating apparatus of-the character described, the combination of a generator-absorber, heating means therefor 'including a gas supply pipe and a water' controlled valve in said pipe adapted to shut off the gas \vhenthe flow of Water is stopped, means for supplying water to said valve continuously, a tank adapted to receive the water flowing from the valve, means for discharging the accumulated head ofxvater in said tank over the generator-absorber, and means for simultaneously shutting off the gas. I v

3. In a refrigerating apparatus of the character described, the combination of a generator-absorber, a condenser, a tank surrounding said condenser, a gas burner for "heating said'generator, means for supplying cooling Water to said condenser, an automatic gas regulator valve controlled by said water supply adapted to shut ofl'the gasto the burner when the Water is stopped, means for discharging the accumulated head of water 'in the condenser tank over the generatorand discontinuing heating of the generator, means in the generator c ontrollmg means; controlled by the condition in the expansion'coils for regulatingthe supply of water.

"4. In arefrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination of a generator-absorber; a gas burner for heating the generator, a valve-controlling the supply of gas to. said burner adapted to be held open by flowing water, a condenser cooled by the Water overflowing from sa d valve,

and means controlled bya pressure device for closing said valve when the pressure in the condenser rises abovea predetermined point. v

5. In a refrigerating apparatus of the .interm'it'tent absorption type, the combination with'a generator-absorber and a liquid re frigerant container, of a means for alternately heat ng and cooling the generatorabsorber, a tank for-holding cooling medium, means for controlling the reversal of suclroperations dependent for its operation on the conditionavithin the-generator and on the exhaustion of the liquid refrigerant n said container, and a float device outside of the container and Within said tank furnishingthe'power for reversing the operations. I 6. Ina refrigerating apparatus of the intermittent absorption type, thejcombination of a still, a liquid refrigerant container,

means for-alternately heating and cooling the st ll, mechanlsm for causlng the reversal of such operations, a float furnishing the power for operating the reversal mechanism,- a] tank around the liquid container for cool-.

ing Water, said float being operated by the V varying height ofsuch water, means for 7. In a refrigerating apparatus of the intermittent absorption type, the combination of a still and a liquid refrigerant container, of means for alternately heating and cooling the still, a tank adapted to contain cooling water, mechanism for stopping the flow of gas and discharging Water from the tank over the still to reverse the cycle and operating to shut off the Water to the stilland permit the flow of gas to be resumed,

- and a float in the tank acting by buoyancy to operate said mechanism for one reversal of the cycle and-by its weight for the other reversal of the cycle.

8. In a-refrigerating apparatus of an intermittent absorption type, the combination of a still and a' liquid refrigerant container, of means for alternately heating and cooling the still, a tank surrounding the refrigerant container, a gas valve controlling the heating and adapted to be regulated by the flow at Water, said water overflowing into said tank, mechanism for stoppingthe flow of gas and-discharging the water in said tank over the-still to reverse the cycle and operating to permit the flow of gas to be resumed and said tank to refill, and a float in said tank acting by buoyancy to operate said mechanism for one reversal of the cycle and by its weight for the other reversal of the cycle.

9. In a refrigeratingapparatus of an intermittent absorption type, the combination *ofa still and a liquid refrigerant container,

ceive water flowing from said valve, a float adaptedLin one position to hold said valve open, means for latching it in said position holding itagainst its buoyancy, means dependent upon the,condition in the still for tripping said latch allowing the float to rise and cut off the supply of gas, a latch for holding the float in its upper position thereby holding said valve closed, and a pressure device connected with the liquid container adapted to-trip said last named latch when the pressurein the container falls by reason of the complete exhaustion of the liquid refrigerant.

10. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination of a generator-absorber, aburner for heating said 1 generator-absorber, afwater discharge pipe for cooling said generator-absorber, a water controlled gas regulator valve for supplying said burner, means for supplying water to said regulator valve, a tank to receive the overflow water from said regulator valve and connected to said water discharge pipe, a Water discharge valve controlling the flow of water from said tank to said water discharge ,pipe, a float in saidtank, means operatively connecting said water discharge valve with said float, means for locking said float against movement during the generating cycle of said generator-absorber, and means for releasing said float to raise said discharge valve at the end of said generating cycle.

11. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination of a still acting in cycles as a. generator and absorber, a condenser for the refrigerant driven off from the still, means for cooling saidv condenser comprising a tank adapted to fill water to said tank, a. valve adapted to discharge all the contents of said tank above a certain lower lever, a device for discharging cooling water from said tank upon said still, said valve controlling the supply of water from said tank to said still, means for opening said valve at the beginning of the absorption cycle of said still, and means for closing said valve at the end of the absorption cycle.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination of a still acting as a generator and as an absorber in alternate cycles, a cooling water tank, a. condenser in said tank, means for supplying cooling water to said tank, a valve for discharging cooling water from said tank upon said still, and a water-power device actuated by the water in said tank for opening said valve at the beginning of the absorption cycle of said still. Y 14. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination of a still acting as a generator and as an absorber in alternate cycles, a cooling water tank, a condenser in said tank, means for supplying cooling water tosaid tank, a valve for dis:

charging cooling water from said tank upon the water in said tank for opening said valve at the beginning of the absorption cycle of said still, means for reversing the cycle dependent respectively on'the conditions in the 'still and'the exhaustion of the refrigerant from the condenser, and means for closing said last named valveat the end of the absorption cycle. 0

15. In a refrigerating apparatus of an intermittent absorption type, the combination of a still and a liquid refrigerant container, a gas burner for heating the still, a valve controlling the supply of gas to said burner, a tank around said container adapted to receive water, afloat adapted in one position to hold said valve open, means for latching it in saidposition holding it against its buoyancy, and means dependent upon the condition in the still for tripping said-latch allowing the float to rise and cut off the supply of gas.

16. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption tvoe, means for supplying cooling water as required .in the operation of said apparatus, a valve controlling a flow of fuel gas for'the production of heat required in the operation of said apparatus, and means acting to automatically close said fuel gas valve upon the failure of the supply'of cooling water to said apparatus, said means comprising a water chamber with a draining opening and a movable member in said chamber connected with the gas valve.

17. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, means for supplying a liquid cooling agent as'required in the operation of said apparatus, means for supplying a heating-agent as required in the operation of said apparatus, means acting to automatically cut off the supply of the heating agent upon the failure of the supply of cooling agent to said apparatus and for --auton1ati cally turning on the supply of the heating agent after the supply of the cooling agent has been restored, said automatic means comprising a chamber adapted to be supplied with liquid and having a movable member in the chamber, and a device .connected with the movable member and controlling the supply of heating agent.

18. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, means for supplying cooling water as required in the operation of said apparatus, a valve controlling the flow of fuel gas for the production of heat required in the operation of the apparatus, and means acting to automatically close said 'fuel gas valve upon the failure of the supply of cooling water tosaid apparatus, said'last named means maintaining said fuel gas valve in closed position until after the sup burner, a condenser, a pressure responsive device in communication with the condenser, and means operated thereby for closingsaid valve. when the pressure in the condenser rises above a predetermined point.

20. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination with generating'and absorbing means. of means for elfecting the reversal from oneto the other including a movable-device adapted to act both as a weight andas a float, means for v latching said device down at one time to prevent it floating, and means for latchingit up at another time to prevent it dropping. 21. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination with generating andabsorbing means, of means, for

effecting the reversal from one to the. other including a movable device adapted to act both as a weight and as a float, means'for latching said device 'dO\\'I1 at one time to prevent it floating, means for latching it up at another time to prevent it dropping, and thermostatic means connecting with the generator for releasing said device when'it is latched down.

.22.-ln a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination. with generating and absorbing means, of means for 'etfecting the reversal from one to the: other including a movable device adapted to act both as a weight and as a float, means for latching said device down at one time to prevent it floating, and means for latching it up atvanother time to prevent- -it dropping, and a pressure responsive device connected 1 with the condenser for releasing said device when it is latched up.

23. In a refrigerating apparatus of the absorption type, the combination'with generating and absorbing means, of means for effecting the reversal from one to the other including a movable deviceadapted to act both as a weight and as afloat, means for as a float, means for effecting one reversal in the refrigerating cycle bv the gravity of said device and the other by it's buoyancy,

and" controlling means forfsaid movable de.-' vice. v i 25. In arefri gerating apparatus of the '24; Ina refrigerating apparatus. offthe absorption type, the combination of a mov able device adapted to act' both as a weight and a float. a tank containing said device and adapted to hold water raising the float and release said water allowing the weight to drop, and means for terminating the generating period consequent upon the'rising of said float, and means for terminating the absorption period consequent upon the dropping of said weight.

'26. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination with suitable vessels, of means for supplying gas, means for supplying cooling water, a device adapted to act interchangeably as a weight or as a float, and means for turning off the gas and turning on cooling water when the float rises, and means for 7 turning on the gas and shutting off the water when theweight drops.

27. In a refrigeratingapparatus, the combination with suitable vessels, of means for f supplying gas, means for supplying cooling water, adevice adapted to act lnterchangeably as aweight or asafloat, means for turning off the gas and turning on cooling water when thefloat rises, means fol-turning on the gas and shutting off the water when the weight drops, and a thermostat in the generator for releasing the float'to allow it to'riseyand a, pressure device connected with theconde'nser for releasing the weight allowing it to drop.

28. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a tank adapted to contain liquid, a movable deviceadapted 'to act interchange- I ably as a float and as a weight rising by buoyancy or dropping by gravity according to the height of the liquid in the tank, means for automatically latching said device in its upper position following by a falling of-the liquid, and means for automatically latching it in its lower position followed by a rising of the liquid, and means forefl'ecting the reversals in the refrigerating cycle consequent upon the movement of said device. 29. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a tank adapted to contain liquid, a movable device in said tank adapted to act interchangeably as a float and as a weight, means whereby the rising of said device releases liquid from the tank, means whereby the falling of said device causes liquid to.

rise-in the tank, means forfautomatically re the liquid has time .to. materially lower in the leasing the device when in its lower position i .and latch-ing it -in its upper position before tank, meansfor automatically releasing it from its upper position and latching it in its lower position before the liquid has time to materially rise in the tank, and means for effecting the reversals of the refrigerating device. 1 i 30, In a refrigerating apparatus, the comcycle consequent upon the movement of said.

before the liquid has timeto materially rise in the tank, and means for effecting a re- '-"versal of the refrigerating cycle consequent upon the movement of said device.

31. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination with generating and absorbing means of a tank adapted to contain liquid, a movable device adapted to act interchangeably as a float and as a weight rising by buoyancy or dropping by gravity according to the height of the liquid in the tank, means for automatically latching said device in ltS upper position followed by a falling of the liquid, and means for effecting a reversal in the cycle of generating and absorbing operations consequent upon the movement of said device.

32. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination with generating and absorbing means of a tank adapted to contain liquid, a movable device in said tank adapted toact interchangeably as a float and as a weight,

means whereby the rising of said device re' leases liquid from the tank, means for automatically releasing the device when in its lower position and latching it in its upper position before the liquid has time to materially lower in the tank, and-means for effecting a reversal in the refrigerating cycle consequent upon the movement of said device. 1

33. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination with generating and absorbing means of a tank adapted to contain liquid, a movable device adapted to act interchangeably as a float and as a Weight rising by buoyancy or dropping by gravity according to the height of the liquid in the tank, means for automatically latching said device in its lower position followed by a rising of the liquid, and means for effecting a reversal in the refrigerating cycle consequent upon the movement of said device.

34. In an absorption refrigeration apparatus, the combination with a receptacle for liquid refrigerant and an absorber, of means for supplying a cooling medium to the absorber, a float-and-weight device for terminating the absorption period adapted to be raised by water power, means for controlling the supply of water to suchdevice to raise it, and controlling means for releasing it when raised, said controlling means being operated by the pressure conditions in said receptacle.

In a refrigerationapparatus of the absorption type, the combination with generating and absorbing means and a receptacle for liquid refrigerant, of means for supplying heat for generation, and'means actuated by an excess of pressure in said re-- ceptacle for reducing the heat supplied.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRISON H. SOUTHWVORTH.

\Vitnesses THOS. H. WELLS, JUSTIN W. MAOKLI 

